·Double Telescoping (DT) These were the earliest issues and came with Luke (Yellow), Ben (Blue) and Darth (Red). These sabers comprised of two separate pieces of plastic: a thin inner piece that telescoped out of a thicker outer shaft which, in turn, telescoped from the arm of the figure. DT versions are very rare; Luke’s saber being the most common since it also appeared in the first versions of the Early-Bird kit. Ben and Darth’s DT sabers are harder to find. Condition is often critical as DT sabers are very fragile.

·Single Telescoping These sabers comprised of a single piece of plastic with a thinner end protruding from a thicker part that telescoped from the arm of the figure. Their colours matched the earlier Double Telescoping versions.

·Hand-held These versions did not telescope, instead they were gripped in the hand of their respective figures: Luke Bespin (Yellow), Luke Jedi (Blue then later Green).

·Pop-up This saber (Green) came with the R2-D2 ‘Pop-up saber’ version released on POTF and the later Droids series.

Another, much rarer, type of saber is the prototype 'mushroom-tip' double-telescoping sabers that has, as the name suggests, a mushroom tip opposed to a regular tip.

DT reproductions:

Many DT reproductions exist due to the fact originals are worth a lot of money. In the past, makers of repro have tried to trick genuine collectors into disclosing exact measurements and details. The most famous are the ReValveiT repros, the creator of these was fooled by seasoned collectors because he was given modified pictures on which he based his reproductions. Due to this history, and to protect the community, genuine collectors are very protective about disclosing detailed information. Please contact TIG if you need any help with verifying a DT saber.

Darth Vader Telescoping Lightsaber

Darth Vader Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV1

Flat Tip Transition. Thin Tip. (Flat Tip or Round Tip refers to the top of the saber shaft where is transitions into the tip. See circled section below for an example of a flat tip

In 1995, Kenner - at that time a subsidary of Hasbro - released a POTF2 "Classic Edition" 4-Pack that included four vintage era figures and their accessories. The figures and accessories were cast from new moulds taken from originals. Darth Vader was one of these, including his signature lightsaber.

Compared to the Kenner originals the re-issues are paler in colour, slightly translucent with a shorter, thicker tip and a squared-off lever.

This repro floats when placed in water and will rise back to the surface when submerged. The colour is very bright orange and the texture is rough. At first glance this looks like a flat-transition copy, but a closer look reveals a roundness where the thin tip meets the base of the saber.

Note: This type of repro was made for Ben, Luke and Vader. It seems that these were produced in the short burst around the mid 90's and came out of Asia.

Darth Vader Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V4

Spotted in 2015 on eBay. This saber is moulded in plastic with the seller offering a cheaper painted version as well.

Darth Vader Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V5

This repro floats and will rise back to the surface when submerged. Glows when put under UV light.

Darth Vader Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V6

This repro floats and will rise back to the surface when submerged. Glows when put under UV light.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV1

Flat Tip Transition. Thin Tip.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV2

Flat Tip Transition. Normal Tip.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV3

Rounded Tip Transition. Rough Texture

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV4

Lili Ledy Variant. Thick Tip.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V1

This REPRO is Painted.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V2

ReValveiT REPRO. Cast in Blue Plastic. Floats in Water.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V3

This repro floats when placed in water and will rise back to the surface when submerged. It has a rough texture and at first glance looks like a flat-transition copy. However, a closer look reveals a roundness where the thin tip meets the base of the saber.

Note: the same repro was also made available in the Darth Vader red colour.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V4

Spotted in 2015 on eBay. This saber is moulded in plastic with the seller offering a cheaper painted version as well.

Ben Kenobi Telescoping Lightsaber REPRO V5

This repro floats and will rise back to the surface when submerged. Does not glow when put under UV light.

Luke Skywalker Telescoping Lightsaber

Luke Skywalker Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV1

Flat Tip Transition. Thin Tip. Solid Colour.

Note: a Translucent version of the V1 also exists.

Luke Skywalker Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV2

Flat Tip Transition. Normal Tip.

Luke Skywalker Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV3

Rounded Tip Transition. Smooth Texture.

Luke Skywalker Telescoping Lightsaber OriginalV4

Smooth Tip Transition. Taiwan Issue.

The Taiwan saber is very flexible and often has flashing present on the tip and hilt. The presence of an EPM on the hilt is also a good indication of a Taiwan saber. Some may have numbers or letters present - so far we have documented the letter 'H'. The Taiwan saber floats in water and will rise to the surface when submerged.

In 1995, Kenner - at that time a subsidary of Hasbro - released a POTF2 "Classic Edition" 4-Pack that included four vintage era figures and their accessories. The figures and accessories were cast from new moulds taken from originals. Luke Skywalker was one of these, including his signature yellow lightsaber.

Compared to the Kenner originals the re-issues are paler in colour, slightly translucent with a shorter, thicker tip and a squared-off lever.

Cast in Dark Yellow Plastic. The yellow colour is darker than an original but the sculpt is very close. This saber can have excess flashing and will float in water.

V4 REPRO (top) Comparison with ORIGINAL bottom).

TIG believes the V4 may be an Outpost repro which also appears in blue and green. Some typical tells are:

They float.

Taper in where the handle meets the hilt.

Very square handgrip edges at top of handle.

Injection points on handle side near hilt.

At certain angles surface may appear more rough and textured compared to an original.

See pics below.

Luke Bespin Lightsaber Floating REPRO V5

The following floating V5 repros are near-perfect in their design and characteristics. The V5 is available for Luke Bespin in yellow, and Luke Jedi in green and blue. They were first noticed on eBay in 2017 and are very difficult to identify.

Some of the repros have a line present at the
bottom part of the rectangle that surrounds the three buttons, but be aware that not all have this line!

The picture below shows two blue V5 fakes (without the line seen on some examples) along with two originals. This image has been colour-altered by TIG to highlight the details.

Sold in large quantities by Outpost and available in blue, yellow and green. Some typical tells are:

They float.

Taper in where the handle meets the hilt.

Very square handgrip edges at top of handle.

Injection points on handle side near hilt.

At certain angles surface may appear more rough and textured compared to an original.

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber V1 - V4 Comparison.

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber Original V1

Lili Ledy Variant.

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber Original V2

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber Original V3

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber Original V4

EPM present on the Handle.

Detail of V4 showing EPM on handle.

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber Original V5 Top Toys Issue

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber - variant 1 - Top Toys REPRO

This repro of the Argentinian Top Toys Luke Jedi Green saber was advertised (then pulled) from eBay in Apr 2013. The seller claimed it was one of only five made as a limited edition run and that it was painted.

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber - variant 2 - REPRO

Painted REPRO. Mass Produced.

Luke Jedi Knight Green Lightsaber - variant 3 - REPRO

Sold in large quantities by Outpost and available in blue, yellow and green. Some typical tells are:

They float.

Taper in where the handle meets the hilt.

Very square handgrip edges at top of handle.

Injection points on handle side near hilt.

At certain angles surface may appear more rough and textured compared to an original.

R2-D2 Pop-up Lightsaber

The R2-D2 Pop-up Lightsaber has three variants. All three have been found with and without the ejector pin mark (EPM) on the handle.

Two examples of this new type of repro were spotted on the market in 2013. The repro appears to be cast in Green Plastic and does not reveal a lighter colour beneath the surface when scratched. It is slightly more flexible than genuine sabers and is a lighter tone of Green. The saber appears to have the faint impression of an EPM on the handle.